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COPYRIGHT DEPOSrr. 



ROSE LEAVES 



By EVELYN GAGE KNIFFIN 

Author of "Guide-Posts on the Foot-Path to Peace' 



As the rose endures in the fragrance of its 
tenderly cherished petals, so the poet lives on in 
his songs in the hearts of those who treasure 
them. 



Published by the Author 

130 Milton Street, Brooklyn, N. Y. 

1910 



f- 



\- 



Copyright, 19 io, by 
EVELYN GAGE KNIFFIN 

All Rights^ Reserved 



11 



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Bebicatetr 
^0 tlje iWemorp of 
Mv ©ear jFatfter 

By thy sweet, gentle life thou e'er shalt teach me 
To be as patient and forgiving here 

As thou wert always in thine earthly journey; 
And learning, I shall feel thee sweetly near. 

My heart looks onward now to where thou livest 
Beyond the cares of earth, and tenderly 

Thou bindest me with cords of love to Spirit; — 
For where my treasure is my heart must be. 

And so I bring these children of my fancy, — 
Though all unworthy seems this gift of mine, — 

And reverently, with my heart overflowing, 
I lay them at thy memory's hallowed shrine. 



ni 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Dedicatory Poem iii 

Rose Leaves . i 

To My Father 2 

To A Faded Rose 4 

The Cry of the Flesh . 6 

Edelweiss 8 

Transfigured 10 

On Twilight's Tide 11 

A Birthday Thought id 

To Mother 15 

Cloud and Star ........... 17 

The Brighter Side 19 

Smiles 21 

Happiness . . . . - 2S 

The Guiding Star 24 

A Birthday Greeting 25 

My Jewels 26 

Opportunity 27 

Contentment 29 

The Garden of Youth 30 

Memory 32 

Passing Ships 34 

Through Earth's Garden 36 

Inspiration ... 37 

The Palace of Dreams 39 

The Homing 41 

V 



PAGE 

Heimweh 43 

The Deserted Village 45 

Thoughts of Home and Mother 47 

Niagara 49 

To Halley's Comet 51 

The Dream wood Path 53 

A Dawn Dream 55 

The Call of the Flowers . . . . ^^ . . 58 

Nature's Music 59 

The Brooklet 61 

Autumn W'oods 63 

The Twilight of the Year 64 

Snowflakes 65 

The Woodland Path 67 

Longing 68 

Pleading 70 

Her Waiting Face . 71 

Dreams 74 

Just We Two 75 

My Heart to Thine . 77 

My Queen 78 

Enshrined 80 

Together Yet Alone 82 

Lonely Aw^hiles 83 

The Deserted Throne 85 

The Isle of Dreams 87 

Sanctuary 89 

Waiting 91 

A Wish 94 

Unless 95 

An Offering 96 

vi 



ROSE LEAVES 

Within my jar of rose leaves 

The withered petals lie 
Of many cherished blossoms 

Too fair and sweet to die : 
Long from the stem they've fallen, 

And yet their perfume rare 
Arising from my rose jar 

Floats in the silent air, — 
A tender, living fragrance 

As fresh as ere they fled ; — 
And though their bloom is faded, 

I cannot count them dead. 

Within my heart are treasured 

The loving deeds and true 
Of one who's passed my vision 

And gone to pathways new ; 
Yet all his gentle goodness 

Is just as fresh to-day 
As when we walked together 

Along this earthly way. 
His virtues are undying. 

The love and light he shed 
Partake of Life eternal; — 

I cannot count him dead. 



TO MY FATHER 

Thou in thy path, and I in mine, — 
The V^eil of Flesh between ; — 

Yet side by side, and closer far 
Than I, perchance, may ween. 

I cannot touch with earthly hands 
Thy new-made form divine ; 

I hear not thine immortal voice 
With these dull ears of mine. 

I do not see thy shining face, 

For oh, mine eyes are dim ! 
I see not God, — but know thou'rt near, 

E'en as Fm knowing: Him. 



^fe 



Yet are we closer, dear, to-day. 
Than when, in earthly guise. 

Thou too didst walk this side the veil, 
And with unseeing eyes : 



For now, — the yearning of my love, 

All that I fain would tell, 
Whate'er I feel, whatever I am, 

At last thou knowest well. 

And then some day, — I know not when,- 

The veil shall part for me, 
And I shall see thine own dear face. 

And come and walk with thee. 

So thou in thy path, — I in mine, — - 
Till earthly night shall wane ; 

Until the veil that hangs between 
Is rent at last in twain. 



TO A FADED ROSE 

Dear faded rose, all thy beauty flown, 
Thou art perfect still to my heart alone : 
The humming-bird would not linger nigh, 
Nor the zephyrs woo as in days gone by. 
For to them thou art naught but a withered flower 
That has bloomed and died and lost its power; 
Yet I see thee still with thy dewy sheen, 
As I saw thee once in thy bower of green. 

And Fm carried back in a flood of dreams 

To a summer's eve, and it almost seems 

That I see the hand that culled thee then, 

As my heart lives over the past again ; 

And the one I loved, who, like thee, hath flown, 

Is as real as thou and again mine own : 

So I kiss thy petals and hold thee dear, 

For the loved and lost thou art bringing near. 



To me still thou art fresh and divinely fair ; 

And the air seems full of thy fragrance rare, 

Till Tm thrilled anew by thy sweet perfume 

As I press my face to thy faded bloom. 

That thy petals are withered is naught to me, 

For I see thee now as thou used to be ; 

And my heart discerns truths that are hid from 

mine eyes, 
For thy real bloom is fadeless and never dies ! 



THE CRY OF THE FLESH 

I'm groping through the shadows for thy hand; — 

But none is there : 
Tm Hst'ning for thy footstep to descend 

The silent stair : 
I'm longing just to see thy face, to hear 

Thy loving tone ; — 
But all are gone forever, and my heart 

Lives on alone. 

Perhaps thou'rt near me still — I do not know, 

I cannot see; 
For oh, the darkness is so deep since thou 

Art gone from. me. 
I know thy love is mine — and yet I long 

To touch thy hand, 
To walk with thee, and talk with thee — oh, dost 

Thou understand? 



The world for me is wrapt in silence since 

Thy voice is still : 
My heart seems oh, so empty, and there's naught 

Its void can fill : 
My life is plunged in darkness, for its light 

Went out with thee; 
And all my soul is yearning for the days 

That used to be. 

I know thy life is richer far than when 

This wa3 thy way; 
Still must my heart cry out for thee throughout 

Each lonely day. 
For me the tears, the loss ; until at last 

I rise above 
The flesh to Spirit's knowledge of divine, 

Eternal Love. 



EDELWEISS 

Far above me thou art blooming 
Where no other flower grows, 

Lifting up thy velvet petals 
There amidst eternal snows. 

They who find thee, flow'r of Spirit, 
On Life's mountain high and steep, 

Gain the peace that passeth knowledge, 
Suffer nevermore, nor weep. 

So I, toiling upward, seek thee ; — 
Rough the way, the journey long; — 

While the air grows clearer, purer. 
As I rise above earth's throng. 

And to-day a loved one passed me, 
Reached the heights I have not trod, 

While I loitered on the pathway 
Leading to the peaks of God. 

8 



Hark! I hear his shout of triumph, 
"Hail! Eureka! I have found!'' 

Down the slopes it rolls and echoes, — 
Then a silence deep, profound. 

Shall I weep in bitter sorrow 
That to-day he gained the prize? 

Nay ! with strength renewed, the morrow 
May reveal thee to mine eyes. 



TRANSFIGURED 

When the butterfly, clad in its splendor, 
From the chrysalis bursts to the light. 

Spreading gay, velvet wings to the sunshine. 
In ecstasy soaring from sight; 

The worm that still lingers a larva. 
And spins a cocoon for its bed, 

Beholds not the wondrous transition. 
But blindly proclaimeth him dead. 

Awake, oh thou dreamer ! He liveth 
A life far more rich and divine. 

Than thou, in thine earthly wrought prison, 
Dost know of or claim to be thine. 

Because from thy vision he passeth, 
Think not that he liveth no more, 

For some day, on bright, airy pinions. 
Thou also toward Heaven shalt soar. 



lO 



ON TWILIGHT'S TIDE 

When the twilight, softly stealing, 

Settles o'er the bay, 
And the church bells, sweetly pealing, 

Speak the close of day, 
My ship gently slips her moorings, — 

All her sails unfurled, — 
And goes gliding down the harbor 

To a peaceful world. 

Out upon the sunset billows 

Tinged with gold and rose. 
On into a sea of gloFy 

My fair Dream Ship goes : 
From the prow I watch the ripples, — 

Dreaming at the wheel, — 
Till I reach the Land of Spirit 

That alone is real. 



II 



Dear familiar faces greet me, 

Voices now long stilled, 
From the shore lost loved ones beckon, 

Till my soul is thrilled 
With the joy of Understanding, — 

Spiritual birth ; — 
But the tide, now outward turning, 

Bears me back to earth. 

So each eve my Dream Ship saileth 

Down the troubled bay. 
O'er the bar that shifts and changes, 

Out and far away : 
But the night descends so swiftly, 

Purple mists hang low, 
And the faces of my loved ones 

Quickly fade and go. 

For my Dream Ship never lingers. 

Never furls her sails, 
Gives me just a glimpse of Heaven; 

Then the glory pales, 
And she leaves the sunset haven, 

Sails into the grey; 
While I watch the shore grow dimmer,- 

Till it fades away. 

12 



Yet some time when I go sailing 

On the TwiHght's Tide, 
O'er the opal-tinted ocean 

To the farther side, 
With Divine Love for my pilot, 

Mists dispelled for aye, 
I will anchor in that haven, — 

Ne'er to sail away. 



13 



A BIRTHDAY THOUGHT 

Thy birthday: — just a gate at which to pause, 
And cast a backward look adow^n the years ; 

While Memory takes thee gently by the hand, 
And bids thee mark their blessings, — not their 
tears. 

Remember how the morning always dawned, 
And how the sunshine followed every shower; 

The darkest clouds were lined with gleaming 
gold ; 
The fallen leaves did but conceal a flower. 

The sun that brightly shone, is shining yet ! 

The God that led thee then, is still thy guide ! 
The blessings that He gave. He giveth now ! 

So trust, and fear thou not : — He's by thy side ! 



14 



TO MOTHER 

The poet may sing 

Of his lady-love fair, 
In rhythmical sonnet, 

Or light, lilting air; 
I sing to the one 

Who, through storm and through shine, 
Has ever proved faithful, — 

This mother of mine. 

With hands that were loving, 

And lips that spoke true. 
She banished all care, — 

As a mother can do. 
Though troubled and weary. 

She gave me no sign ; 
But ever toiled onward, — 

This mother of mine. 



15 



The years that she gave me, 

No love can repay : 
The love that she lavished, 

She giveth for aye ; 
So, gratefully, gladly, 

I pledge her this line, 
''The best and the dearest,"- 

This mother of mine. 



i6 



CLOUD AND STAR 

There's a cloud in the sky, and 

a grief in my heart ; 
And the cloud and my grief seem 

so deep, 
That no light shineth through 

and the night darkly falls, 
While ne'er doth my heart cease 

to weep. 

There's a star in the sky just 

back of the cloud. 
And a hope in my heart 'neath 

the care; 
And, searching, I find, as the 

mist drifts away. 
That the light shone eternally 

there. 

17 



But the cloud and the grief hid 

the star and the hope, 
Till I sought through the 

darkness for Hght; 
Then afar in the sky, and deep 

into my heart, 
A constant ray gleamed through 

the night. 

So the star and the hope shine 

steadfastly on 
Till the dawn, of the glorious 

day. 
When the sun floods the earth, 

and Light streams in my heart,- 
All clouds and all care gone 

for aye. 



i8 



THE BRIGHTER SIDE 

What though there are clouds 

hanging heavy and dark, 
There's one patch of sky 

peeping through ; 
Then rail not at fate with thine 

eyes on the gloom, 
But see and give thanks for 

the blue. 

What though withered leaves 

o'er thy pathway are strewn, 
Beneath is the arbutus 

sweet ; 
So dwell not on hopes that are 

shattered and dead, 
But welcome the flow'r at thy 

feet. 



19 



The blossom's not found till 

the leaves are displaced, 
And watching the clouds hides the 

blue ; 
Then turn from the darkness, 

and spurn the ''dead leaves," 
And cherish the good, and the 

true. 

In each somber spot there is 

some ray of light. 
So look for the things that 

are best; 
And, searching, thou'lt find 

that in each passing day, 
The, blessings outweigh all 

the rest. 



20 



SMILES 

When cares press upon you, 

Just smile, — and they flee : 
The world is o'erflowing 

With brightness and glee ; 
So when you are tempted 

To glower and frown. 
Turn up your mouth corners 

And just smile it dow^n. 

For joy is not purchased 

As most treasures are, 
But paid for in smiles that 

We scatter afar ; 
Then off with your frown, and 

You'll find it worth while, 
To bring to some other 

The cheer of your smile. 

21 



The easiest pathway 

Through trouble and care 
Is paved with the smiles of 

The friends passing there ; 
So just add your smile, — 'tis 

So little to do, — 
And when darkness gathers, 

'Twill help some one through. 



HAPPINESS 

In far distant India, sunny Japan, 

And coral-bound isles of the sea, 
O'er sands of the desert, on snow-shrouded 
mounts, 
In lands of the brave and the free, — 
I searched through the years in each far-away 

spot. 
For the jewel of Happiness, — finding it not. 

Returning at last to the home of my birth, 
I gave up my long, fruitless quest; 

Then sought not mine own, but another's best 
good,— 
And now is my spirit at rest : 

For here, in a service of love without end, 

I found the bright gem in the heart of a friend. 



23 



THE GUIDING STAR 

The ocean of life is thronged with ships 
That are bound for a distant chme, 

Each bearing a single mariner, 

As it sails from the shores of Time. 

In the night when the light grows dim and fails, 

And the fog hangs thick and low, 
Each bark has its compass, — its northern star, — 

To guide past the shoals below. 

There are ships adrift in Sargasso Sea 
That have reached no haven of rest; 

And some are asleep in the ocean's depths, — 
Wrecked in their vaunted quest. 

Each lost the light of his guiding star, — 

His vision, — his bright ideal ; 
Each steered his course by the fitful wunds, 

And not by the true and real. 

So, sailing over the sea of life, 

Look up where the stars shine bright ! 

And guide thy bark to the Port of Peace 
By thy vision's steadfast light. 

24 



A BIRTHDAY GREETING 

I wish for thee not merely 

wealth of earth, 
Lest, having, thou shouldst 

miss the richer store 
Of Spirit's knowledge which 

alone has worth. 
Whose treasure shall endure 

forevermore. 

I wish for thee not merely 

sunny skies, 
Lest, bathed in their bright 

glory, thou shouldst scorn 
The Light eternal that for 

thee shall rise. 
When Life has ushered in thine 

Easter morn. 

And so the best that I can 
wish for thee, 

Is that, while earthly wealth 
and joy are given. 

Thou shalt not bow to them 
on bended knee, 

But make each gift a stepping- 
stone to Heaven. 

25 



MY JEWELS 

(To John Greenleaf Whittier.) 

A WONDROUS wealth of jewels rare I find 
Within thy treasured volume of my choice, 

More precious far than any monarch's gems, — 
A regal gift that bids my heart rejoice. 

A host of gleaming emeralds are here 

In thy word-pictures of green trees and fields ; 

And the soft sheen of changing opal tints, 
The glory of thy autumn woodlands yields. 

Thy tender words of love are rubies red ; 

Thy sunny songs of joy, — topazes clear; 
And in thy hymns of faith, blue sapphires gleam, 

Revealing perfect trust that knows no fear. 

Fair pearls of price, — thy thoughts inspired by 
Truth 

That maketh plain the path the Shepherd trod ; 
And in each song of Spirit, — lo, I find 

The priceless diamond of the Love of God. 



26 



OPPORTUNITY 

Hidden close in the leaves it sweetly lay, — 
This perfect rose that I found one day; — 
And it seemed to smile as it nestled there; 
So I claimed it mine, for I deemed it fair. 
Yet I passed it by with a whispered plea, 
As I bade it wait in the leaves for me. 

But the warm south wind came there to woo, 
And the night brought gems of shining dew, 
And the sun bent down from the azure sky 
To kiss my rose, — as the hours sped by; 
Then the honey-bee to its bosom crept. 
And stole the sweets that for me were kept. 

Then the rain beat down on my flow'ret fair. 
Till it drooped, its head as it waited there ; 
And the north wind swept o'er the sheltered dell, 
Swaying my rose till its petals fell, 
And it scattered lay on the grass alone : — 
For I came not yet to claim my own. 

27 



I returned at last to the secret spot 
And sought my rose, — but I found it not; 
For the flower I deemed was my own for aye, 
By the hand of Time had been plucked away : 
And through passing days I can only pine, 
For the rose once gone shall be never mine. 



28 



CONTENTMENT 

A GENTIAN was born in a woodland dell, 
And it oped its eyes where the sunlight fell ; 
It bathed in light and more lovely grew, 
Till it looked one day on its gown of blue : 

Then it folded its azure petals tight, — 
For the goldenrod was in yellow bright, 
And it longed to look as proud and gay ; — 
So it closed its eyes, and hid away. 

But when all the woods were sere and brown, 
And the leaves came fluttering softly down, 
One passed that way and the gentian spied 
As it bloomed alone ; — for the rest had died. 

And it cheered that heart on its lonely way; 
So at last the flower was content to stay : 
And it learned a truth that is ever new. 
As it said, 'Tm glad Tm a gentian blue." 



29 



THE GARDEN OF YOUTH 

The garden of my youth 

Is left behind : 
I do not long to seek 

Its path to find ; 
The weeds that flourished there 

In childhood's hours 
Have now no charm for me, — 

I've found Life's flowers. 

I would not spend my days 

In idle play, 
I would not be content 

To delve in clay, 
I would not close my eyes 

To Life and Love ; — 
I long to rise and climb 

To heights above. 

30 



I would not always take, 

And ne'er return, 
While I, absorbed in self. 

Naught else discern : — 
I long to learn of Life 

Its highest truth, 
And could not now turn back 

To m}^ lost youth. 

Though many seek its path, 

And, finding not, 
Bemoan its vanished joys, — 

'Tis best forgot : 
Youth is the chrysalis 

Of nobler things. 
Whence, rising from the earth. 

We find our wings. 



31 



MEMORY 

Musing all alone, I watch the embers 
Glowing brightly ere they fade and fall, 

While the flickering shadows of the firelight 
Paint fantastic pictures on the wall. 

Dreaming thus, a voice comes through the silence, 
And I look to see her standing there. 

Shadowy and frail, yet full of beauty. 
With a wreath of pansies in her hair. 

Often has she come and gently wooed me. 
Lured me to embark for Memory's shore ; 

Led me thence adown a dreamy pathway. 
To the misty realm of Days of Yore. 

Now a pensive sadness doth enfold her. 
And to-night her eyes are dim with tears ; 

While, with trembling voice, she bids me follow 
Down the bitter, half-forgotten years : 

32 



Shows me all the darkened fears and sorrows 
That beset my heart in life's young hour ; 

Paints for me the pictures of my failures ; 
Points to many a dead and crumbling flower. 

Till at last, with heart and mind embittered, 

I arise, and bidding Memory flee, 
Thus resolve : — No more Til do her bidding, 

Dream no more of days that used to be. 

Embers that have fallen now to ashes 
Ne'er will drive the chill of night away ; 

So the memories of some shattered vision 
Will not cheer or bless my life to-day. 

Sorrows that are past are best forgotten; 

Blossoms that are dead must buried lie : 
I would live within the glorious Present, — 

Gather blooming roses ere they die. 

Thus instead of looking ever backward. 
Weeping over sorrows that have flown, 

I would fill with joy each passing moment; 
For To-day is all I call mine own. 



33 



PASSING SHIPS 

A SILENCE deep, 

And the sea asleep 
'Neath the dome of a star-flecked sky; 

Then afar through the night 

A shimmer of Hght, 
And a sister-ship draws nigh. 

A flash, — a gleam, 

Like a shining dream 
That is born of the ocean mist ; 

Then nearer still 

To my own, until 
We are both by the same breeze kissed. 

Its wavelets press 

With a soft caress, 
And ripple along my prow ; 

Its lights agleam 

On my vessel stream 
And brighten the darkness now. 

34 



Hail, — and farewell ! 

Then its passing swell, 
The glow of a fading light : 

And again for me 

Just the sky and sea ; — 
And a ship has passed in the night. 

On the boundless sea 

Of Eternity, 
Two lives for a moment near, — 

Now^ heart to heart 

And then far apart, — 
And each with its ray of cheer. 

The same hopes fill, 
And the same joys thrill ; 

A hail,— and they fade from sight. 
Each sailing away 
To its own home-bay : — 

And two ships have passed in the night. 



35 



THROUGH EARTH'S GARDEN 

First a morning-glory sunburst, 

Fresh with sparkHng dew ; 
Then a bank of dainty, fragrant 

Violets of blue. 

Snowy lilies, pure and slender, 

Fair, divinely sweet ; 
Riot then of crimson roses, — 

Where two pathways meet. 

Just beyond, — a sea of asters, 

Goldenrod aglow ; 
Rosemary, and rue, and pansies, — 

In the vale below. 

Near the gate, — an evening primrose 

In the fading light ; 
Then a single wind-blown poppy, — 

Where we say ''Good night.'' 



36 



INSPIRATION 

I SAXG a song of the rapture sweet 

Of a mutual love confessed. 
Of the peace that lies in a loved one's eyes ;— 

And the listening world was blessed. 
For each heart that heard grew more warm and 
true: — 

Yet love's joys I have never known, 
.\nd the while I sing of the bliss they bring, 

^ly heart lives on alone. 

I sang of the lure of the winding road 

Which leads to enchanting bowers. 
Of the whispering breeze in the woodland trees, 

And of fields of dew-wet flowers : 
.\nd my song brings cheer to the ones who hear, — 

But to me it means only pain : 
For I dwell apan in the busy mart. 

And my heart longs on in vain. 



I sang a song of unclouded skies, 

Of a life more sun than shade, 
Of a joyous heart that had felt no smart, 

And a spirit unafraid : 
And my song so gay smoothed many a way, 

As they smiled and forgot their fears, 
And their eyes once wet ceased to regret : — 

But I wrote through blinding tears. 

You think that I love and am loved again; 

That I dwell where the wildflowers grow ; 
That my life's pure joy is without alloy; — 

But ah, you do not know ! 
For the poet sings of the longed-for things 

That his spirit dwells among, 
While he lifts his eyes to the vaulted skies 

For the songs that are still unsung. 



38 



THE PALACE OF DREAMS 

The Palace of Dreams is in Slumberland Vale, 

Just over the River of Sleep ; 
'Tis reached by the shallop the Sandman doth sail, 

Who closes your eyes, lest you peep. 

Each evening he comes in his white Dreamland 
Boat, 

And ferries you over the stream, 
And into the harbor where pond-lilies float. 

And up where the palace lights gleam. 

Then over the threshold of glittering gold. 
And down through the gem-studded hall, 

You follow to where, in bright splendor untold. 
The Children's Room outshineth all. 

You enter its portal 'neath flower garlands gay; 

And myriad children of earth 
Are gathered within, — some in silken array. 

And others of lowliest birth. 

39 



All longing for joys that are just out of reach, — 
Far distant the waking world seems; 

When lo, a bright angel bestoweth on each 
A poppy-wreathed package of dreams. 

A tiny one come from the dark city street 
Hugs close to her wan little breast 

A dream of green meadows with wildflowers 
sweet, 
And thinks that her dream is the best. 

The motherless one in warm arms is at peace, 

With kisses and love for her own ; 
The cripple obtains from his bondage release ; 

The wanderer findeth a home. 

So thus the Dream Angel gives each what is best, 

And fills every heart with delight; 
And, knowing the yearning of each childish 
breast, 

She grants them a blissful "Good night.'' 



40 



THE HOMING 

Over the city the twiHght steals, 

Shadowy, violet-gray ; 
Flashing like jewels the twinkling lights 

Gleam on the Great White Way : 
Then through the clangorous roar of the street 

Rushes the homeward throng ; 
And 'mid the turmoil that surges and swells, 

Peace hymns an eventide song. 

Softly at first breathes the soothing refrain ; 

Clearer and clearer it grows, 
Till, in an anthem of infinite peace. 

Over the city it flows ; 
Filling the heart with its message of calm. 

Hushing the sob of unrest. 
Whispering freedom from work that is o'er, 

Singing of home, and of rest. 

41 



Thousands are pressing toward some chosen goal, 

Each in a world of his own ; 
Shoulder to shoulder, — yet fathoms apart; 

Jostling, — yet each one alone. 
Still o'er earth's children so weary and worn, 

Spent with the toil of the day, 
Peace, like an angel with sheltering wnigs, 

Hovers above them alway. 



42 



HEIMWEH 

Through all my dreams at Twilight ; 

In Noonday's glare; 
Or while the hush of Evening 

Enthralls the air; 
When Dawn with rose is tinting 

The sky's great dome ; — 
I hear sweet voices calling, 

''Dear heart, come home V 

When Spring awakes the flow'rets, 

And song-birds call ; 
Or when in Autumn woodlands 

The red leaves fall ; 
Through Summer's pulsing heat-waves; 

In Winter's frost; — 
The voices still are calling, 

''Come home, thou lost !" 



43 



In dark primeval forests ; 

O'er torrid sands ; 
On snow-encrusted mountains ; 

In meadow-lands ; 
Where dash the mighty breakers 

To misty foam ; — 
There do I hear the summons, 

''My child, come home !" 

The thrush's silvery music, 

And purling rill. 
Awake in me the longings 

Time cannot still : 
Whate'er the hour or season, 

Where'er I roam, — 
The voices still are calling, 

''Come home ! Come home !" 



44 



THE DESERTED VILLAGE 

Village, on thee the hand of Time 
Hath wrought a wondrous change ; 

Where once was joy and peacefuhiess 
Now desolation reigns. 

The village mill is drear and still, 

Its workmen all are gone; 
The little church upon the hill 

Stands empty and forlorn. 

The home where oft the man of toil, — 

His daily labor o'er, — 
Found quiet, rest, and happiness, 

Now stands with bolted door. 

The garden is overrun with weeds. 

The well has long been dry, 
The little sapling planted then 

Now towers toward the sky. 

45 



The hearth once rife with merry glee, 

When lessons all were o'er, 
Is empty, cold, and cheerless, while 

Its ashes strew the floor. 

The walls that echoed joyous shouts 

Are silent now, and bare : 
Still stands the schoolhouse by the stream,- 

And yet no sound is there. 

The restless creek flows on the same 

As in the days of yore, — 
But as it breaks in silver spray, 

It laps a silent shore. 

Fond memories linger 'round thy name, 

Glenerie, once so blest ; 
But all thy ties of love are riven, — 

So gently take thy rest ! 



46 



THOUGHTS OF HOME AND 
MOTHER 

Little angels of the moonbeams, 
As you shed your silv'ry Hght 
Far across the deep blue ocean, 
On my mother's head of white, 
As she sits beside the window, 
In the twilight's deepening gloom, 
Tell her that I cherish fondly 

Thoughts of her and my old home. 

I can see the little cottage, 

With the well-sweep in the shade ; 
And the bright and dewy meadows. 

Where a little boy I played : 
And a picture rolls before me 

Of that darling old home nest, 
And I long to seek its shelter, — 

Long to He on mother's breast. 

47 



All my boyhood days are over, 
And I struggle with life's tide; 

Yet, when each day's toil is ended, 
I'm again at mother's side, 

And I'm saying over softly, — 
*'Now I lay me down to sleep ; 

If I die before the morning, 
* Thou, O Lord, my soul wilt keep." 

Angels comfort my old mother. 

As she sits and softly prays ; 

Bring to me bright, golden mem'ries 

Of my happy boyhood days. 
Keep her love my guardian angel. 

Though the ocean rolls between ; 
Make her home my heart's fair kingdom ; 

May she ever reign its queen. 



48 



NIAGARA 

As the mighty river floweth 
On its journey to the sea, 

Pausing not at yawning chasms ; 
So it flows unceasingly. 

O'er the massive cHff it plunges, 
Dashing into silver spray; 

Rushes over rocky ledges, 
Sweeps majestic on its way : 

Tumbles into dark abysses, 

Thundering with a voice of night; 
Green as emerald, clear as crystal. 

Changeful as the opal's light. 

All its waters flash and sparkle, 
By the golden sunbeams kissed. 

Sending back their light caresses 
In a cloud of rainbow mist. 

49 



So, oh river, may thy music 

Ever Hve within my heart; 
May I, through Hfe's changing landscape, 

Be as constant as thou art. 

May my hfe reflect God's beauty, 

As thy face reflects the sky ; 
May I tremble not, nor falter, 

When the precipice is nigh. 

And as naught delays thee ever. 

In thy flowing to the sea ; 
So may I press on with ardor 

To the goal that's set for me. 



50 



TO HALLEY'S COMET 

Thou shape ethereal that through the universe 

doth sweep, 
With form of beauty, diaphanous train of silver 

light ! 
No man doth know thy secret as thou circlest 

'round the sun, 
And wingest through eternal space thy swift and 

silent flight. 

To our gross earth thou seemest like a spirit in 

the skies, — 
A moment here, then gone again on thy celestial 

way. 
Art thou the Spirit-wraith of some world fairer 

far than ours, 
That to our earthly darkened eyes seems but a 

gleaming ray? 

51 



Perhaps when we have solved the deeper truths 

of Life and God, 
Thy secrets hidden from us now shall then at 

last be plain. 
Perchance the kiss thou waftedst us in passing 

may uplift 
Our hearts to better understand thee, when thou 

com'st again. 



52 



THE DREAMWOOD PATH 

Each eve as I watch the fireHght 

That dances in fitful gleams, 
I seem to float to a land of peace 
Where anxious strivings for riches cease, 

And earth and its toil are dreams. 

I wander through cool, green woodlands. 

Where luringly calls the thrush; 
There's a soothing balm in the gentle breeze. 
And a path that leads through an aisle of trees, 

To the magical Land of Hush. 

I follow the moss-grown pathway. 

And gather each wildwood flower ; 
Then look above to the sky's deep blue, 
Where dancing sunbeams are shimmering through 
The leaves in a golden shower. 

53 



Then stilled are my eager longings, 

And gone is my weight of care ; 
For, far away from the city's strife, 
I find the peace of the perfect life, — 
The hush of the answered prayer. 

For years it has wooed and won me, 

Yet ever the dream seems new. 
Some day, — perhaps in a little while, — 
I shall wake at last with a happy smile, 
To find that my dream is true. 



54 



A DAWN DREAM 



In the morning hours, — 

Ere the dew-decked flow'rs 
Which have graced the elfin ball 

Their gems have shed, 

Or the east is red, — 
I follow the robin's call. 

Through the purple mist 
Where the fairies kissed 

In their midnight revels gay, 
Ere the sun's bright beams 
Have dispelled my dreams, 

I hie to the woods away. 

Through the dusky shade 

There's a pathway laid, 
And I search for the fairies here ; 

But I hear the beat 

Of their magic feet, 
As they scamper away in fear. 

55 



Though I lightly tread, 

All the elves have fled ; 
But their filmy tents I find, 

And the cobwebs white 

Are with gems alight, 
That the fairies left behind. 

There's a cup complete 

Of their nectar swxet, 
In the heart of an aster blue ; 

And a web I see, 

That in elfish glee 
They have hung with chains of dew. 

Then I wander o'er 

The be jeweled floor, 
In search of their flxower-strewn bed, 

Where in slumber deep 

They lie fast asleep, 
When the eastern sky burns red. 

Yet I only see 

Where they used to be ; 
And I search in the moss below, 

But they leave no track 

As they hurry back, 
And none of their footprints show\ 

56 



Now the birds awake, 

And the echoes quake 
With their anthems sweet and clear, 

And I raise my eyes 

With a glad surprise, 
While the sun comes up to hear. 

Fleecy clouds unfurl 

Tones of palest pearl, 
And are bathed in amber-rose ; 

Till with golden glints 

On their opal tints 
The radiant sunlight glows. 

Then the skies unfold, 

And the molten gold 
Drips down on each tree and flower, 

Till the woods are filled 

With the splendor spilled 
From the morning's glory-shower. 

In the broad expanse 

Where the fairies dance. 
The sunbeams brightly stream; 

And I homeward march 

Through the leafy arch, — 
For the day dispels my dream. 



57 



THE CALL OF THE FLOWERS 

To-night, as I'm thoughtfully dreaming 
Of the past with its memories dear, 

Comes the sweet, winning call of the flowers. 
That I'm wistfully praying to hear. 

For the sound is like magical music, 
And it woos me in visions of yore; 

Till I listen, and long, and remember. 

And Tm back in God's country once more. 

Then down through the city's dark highw^ays, 
Stealing up with the gathering mist. 

Floats the fragrance of fields flecked w^ith roses 
By the sunshine caressingly kissed. 

Oh, I long for the hawthorn and lilies, 

For the clover, the violets blue, 
And the white and gold drift of the daisies 

All a-sparkle with spangles of dew. 

For the grass of the fields is like velvet. 
And the buttercups luringly gleam ; 

While my heart slips away on a memory, 
And I wander back home in a dream. 

58 



NATURE'S MUSIC 

Liquid tones of the rippling rill, 

Plash of the foaming fall, 
Sighings soft of the summer breeze, " 

Trill of the veery's call. 

Whispering winds in the waving wheat. 
Brooklets that purling flow, 

Rustling leaves in the trees o'erhead, 
Blend in a cadence low. 

Soughing winds in the lonesome pines, 
Lapping waves on the shore, 

Booming voice of the mighty deep 
Heard in the breaker's roar. 

Pattering sounds of the soft spring rain. 
Beat of the summer shower. 

Hum of bees and the cricket's chirr, — 
Music for every hour. 

59 



Cheerful ballads of babbling brooks, 
Songs of the surging seas, 

Mellow sonnets of warbling birds 
Sung from the woodland trees. 

Tuneful lyrics and joyous strains, 
Swelling the hymn of praise; 

Nature's music for all mankind, 
Blessing the passing days. 



60 



THE BROOKLET 

The brook comes down 

From the mountain glade, 
And babbles and sings 

Through sun and shade. 
In placid pools 

It reflects the sky, 
Or over the rocks 

Goes flashing by. 

The ferns that nod 
O'er its crystal sheen, 
Dapple its bosom 

With flecks of green; 
While dainty blossoms 
Of white and pink, 
Sway in the breeze 
On its mossy brink. 

6i 



It catches bits 

Of the sky's ovv^n blue, 
And flings them back 

In a deeper hue. 
Gold sunbeams dance 
On its surface fair, 
And purple shadows 
Are drifting there. 

It passes close 

To the woodman's cot, 
Yet hurries along, 

And pauses not; 
But onward flows 

To the river's brim, 
And, blithely singing. 

It plunges in. 

Oh, brooklet fair, 

Thou art gone for aye ! 
Through peaceful meadows 

Thy journey lay; 
Yet now, alas. 

Thou art tempest-tossed ;- 
For the river wide 

In the sea is lost. 

62 



AUTUMN WOODS 

Patches of golden sunshine, 

Shadows of violet hue, 
Leafage of orange and crimson, 

Skies of cerulean blue. 

Berries of brilliant scarlet. 

Mosses of emerald green. 
Snowy white trunks of the birches, — 

There where the brook flows between. 

Water reflecting the sunlight. 
Splashes of red, and then blue 

Caught from yon rift in the treetops. 
Just where the sky shimmers through. 

Hush as of some fairy dreamland. 

Only the twitter of birds. 
Silently tread we the pathway ; 

Here 'tis too sacred for words. 

Riot of color harmonious, 
Peacefulness reigning o'er all ; 

Pathways that lead to contentment ; — 
This is the woodland in Fall. 

63 



THE TWILIGHT OF THE YEAR 

The Autumn lamps are lit along the road, 
For now has come the Twilight of the year; 

And goldenrod and asters brightly burn, 
To tell to listening hearts that Night is near. 

Then one by one the lamps will flicker out, 
And all the flowers will rest in sleep profound ; 

And that their slumber may be undisturbed, 
Jack Frost locks all the doors into the ground. 

The trees will soon lay ofif their garments gay, 
Which decked them for the Autumn's festal 
ball. 

And go to sleep at last when Night has come 
And Winter's snow-white peace reigns over all. 

So sleep and take your rest, oh trees and flow- 
ers, — 
Full often have ye blessed and brought me 
cheer, — 
Until the Spring with soft, alluring call. 

Shall wake you at the Dawn-time of the year. 

64 



SNOWFLAKES 

Snowflakes slowly, softly sifting; 
Dancing down, or — dream-like, — drifting; 
Whirling with the winds of winter from a gray 
and sullen sky : 
In the sunlight flashing brightly, 
Feather-like, they flutter lightly; 
Till on earth, in wondrous whiteness pure and 
perfect, do they lie. 

Spreading o'er the crystal river 
Robes of ermine, — spotless ever; 
Decking hill and dale with splendor; painting 
pictures all of snow : 
Weaving garlands in the willows; 
Drifting o'er the fields in billows ; — 
Wafted from the wings of angels to the wafting 
world below. 

65 



In the sunset brightly burning, 
All their white to crimson turning, — 
Rose and amber, gold and purple, — ever chang- 
ing with the light : 
In the misty moonlight gleaming, — 
Fairer far than all my dreaming, — 
Like an angel's silver mantle, fallen from the 
skies of night. 

Leaving in the shady bowers 
Covers for the sleeping flowers ; 
Turning woodlands into magic, as by some en- 
chanter's wand : 
Shrouding earth in dazzling whiteness ; 
Catching bits of Heaven's brightness ; 
Bringing to my longing spirit glimpses of the 
Great Beyond. 



66 



THE WOODLAND PATH 

The silence and gloom of the forest 

Where leadeth a footpath moss-grown, 
Dead leaves lying strewn in the hollows, 

And I wand'ring sadly, — alone. 
The moan of the wind m the branches, 

Dark shadows beneath every tree. 
And then, in the heart of the woodland, 

A turn of the pathway, — and thee ! 

Then, gladness and sunshine and music ; 

The fragrance of flow'rs at our feet ; 
A chorus of song from the tree-tops. 

In cadences silvery sweet. 
What beauty in each tiny leaflet ! 

What rapture in blossom and tree ! 
Since, — just where the path seemed to vanish,- 

I came to the turning, — and thee ! 



67 



LONGING 

I KNOW that some day thou wilt come 

To claim thine own ; — 
I shall not walk this earthly way 

Fore'er alone;— 
But oh, I plead, where'er thou art, 

Come, hasten home ! 

The waiting has been long and hard, 

These weary years ; 
I've tried to smile, but oft my eyes 

Were dim with tears ; 
And sometimes has my empty heart 

O'erflowed with fears. 

I've striven to be patient, dear, — 

I've done my best: 
The world has deemed me full of joy, 

And never guessed 
The ache within my heart, and how 

I've longed for rest. 

68 



I'm tired and lonely now, and need 

Thy love and care; 
I yearn to creep into thine arms 

And nestle there ; 
But thou art, oh, so far away, — ■ 

I know not where. 

So long IVe been alone, unloved, — 

While life required 
So much of me, yet gave me naught 

That I desired, — 
That now I plead for thee to come, 

For I am tired. 

So loiter not along the way 

That leads to me : 
IVe kept my heart a spotless shrine, — 

And thine the key; 
Then on the wings of love come home ! 

I long for thee ! 



69 



PLEADING 

You say that I have changed and love is dying ; 

But oh, you wrong me, dear, and plead I must 
That you believe my heart, and heed its crying 
For perfect trust. 

Remember how I gave my all with gladness ; 
Remember through what darkness I've been 
true; 
Then trust me, oh I pray, in joy or sadness, 
As I trust you. 

A woman's heart loves on, — but not forever ; 

Too often has the flame been dimmed by doubt : 
And so I plead for trust, — that mine may never 
Fade and go out. 

I give you all my heart, so keep it, dearest, 

And crown with perfect trust our love anew : 
Then till the end you'll be to me the nearest, — 
And I to you. 



70 



HER WAITING FACE 

Oft, as I watch 

The fireHght's glow, 
While shadows dim 

Flit to and fro ; 
A cherished dream 

My thoughts replace, 
And then I see 

Her waiting face. 

Among the coals 

She seems to smile 
With roguish eyes 

That dance the while. 
Soft, dusky hair, 

And foamy lace, 
Surrounding there, — 

Her waiting face. 

71 



The eriibers glow : 

I see it shine, — 
This girUsh face, 

This dream of mine. 
Her image naught 

Can e'er displace, 
For oh, I love 

Her waiting face. 

And so I sit 

And fondly gaze, 
While o'er the floor 

The firelight plays. 
I seem to know 

No time, nor place, 
It charms me so, — 

Her waiting face. 

And in my hours 

Of carking care 
I close my eyes 

To see her there; 
Then troubles flee, 

Joy comes apace 
Whene'er I see 

Her waiting face. 

72 



Long years have passed 

Since first she came, 
And still she seems 

The very same. 
The hand of Time 

Can ne'er erase 
Her smiling eyes, 

Her waiting face. 

My hair has turned 

To silv'ry white; 
But still her own 

Is dusky night. 
She's just as fair 

And full of grace, — 
And so I bless 

Her waiting face. 

The mornings dawn. 

The evenings go, 
She's still a dream; 

But this I know, — 
That some bright day, 

In some fair place, 
I'll find at last 

Her waiting face. 

73 



DREAMS 

Night and dreams ; — -and thy dulcet voice, 

Out of the silence vast : 
Morn, and waking; — and only the soft 

Sigh of a breeze that passed. 

Night, and dreams ; — then thy shining face, 

Out of the mists of years : 
Dawn ; — and naught but a sunbeam gold. 

Kissing mine eyes of tears. 

Night, and dreams ; — and thy tender touch. 
Out of the Great Unknown : 

Morn; — and only a tiny leaf 
Into my window blown. 

Night, and dreams ; — then thine arms enfold, 

Out of the shadows gray : 
Dawn ; — and only my empty heart : — 

Would I might dream for aye! 



74 



JUST WE TWO 

We're going on together, dear, 

Forever, — you and I ; 
In bright or stormy weather, dear, 

Uplooking toward the sky : 
Not always here, but some day there 

Where hearts are ever true; 
Still will we w^alk with clasping hands, — 
Just we two. 

The angels walk together, dear, 

In twos, — as you and I ; 
For love endures forever, dear, 

And there'll be no good-bye. 
Whatever of love we bind on earth 

Shall live beyond the blue. 
And Heavenly chains will hold us close,- 
Just we two. 

75 



What do we fear of sorrow, dear? 

Will you go first, — or I? 
Though we should part to-morrow, dear, 

Our love can never die ; 
So come what may, our hearts shall know 

The waiting years are few : 
Together through eternity, — 
Just we two. 



76 



MY HEART TO THINE 

I ASK no more of love than thou canst give me, 
rd take from thee not one unwilHng hour ; 

And if thy gift be but a folded blossom, 

ril prize the bud, — though longing for the 
flower. 

If far from me thou find'st life's keenest rapture, 
I would not hold thy heart in bondage here ; 

I seek thy good, and though I starve without thee, 
I'll murmur not, — because I love thee, dear. 

I would not force the bud to its unfolding ; 

And if it bloom within another's hand, 
I'll know that, somehow, I have proved un- 
worthy, — 

And in my empty heart I'll understand. 

So I will cherish, dear, whatever thou givest, 
E'en though the perfect flower be not for me; 

And while my heart craves all, — I'll take the little, 
And love it best, — because it comes from thee. 



77 



MY QUEEN 

I KNOW not when she passed my way; 
I know not where her pathway lay; 

I heard no whisper sweet and low ; 

I saw her not ; — I only know 
She stole into my heart one day. 

I know not if she came my way 
At dawn, or noon, or twilight gray ; 
If in the moonshine silver white, 
Or through the dark and starless night ;- 
I only know she's mine for aye. 

I know not where she came to me, — 
On mountain side, by misty sea, 
In crowded hall or sheltered dell : — 
Just where we met I cannot tell : — 
I only know 'twas heaven to me. 

78 



I know not if her face be fair, 
With dusky curls, or golden hair; 

Soft eyes of brown, or deepest blue ; 

I only know her heart is true : — 
That she is mine is all I care. 

And so my life with love aglow 
Is full of her, — and thus I know 
No time, nor place, and only see 
Her own dear heart that beats for me : 
Because her love is all I know. 



79 



ENSHRINED 

A DAINTY maid with soft brown eyes, 

And rosy, laughing face, 
Has changed for me the very skies. 

And each famihar place. 

Unless I see her, hear her voice. 
The fairest spot seems drear ; 

On some lone isle Td e'en rejoice, 
If only she were near. 

The sky, perchance, is just as blue. 

Yet seems not so to me ; 
I find no beauty in its hue 

When she's not here to see. 

The waves still beat upon the shore, 

But bring to me no cheer ; 
Their music winneth me no more. 

For she's not here to hear. 

80 



The sunset turns the sea to gold, 

With each departing day, 
Yet charms me not with tints untold, 

Since she's so far away. 

The moon with silver flecks the sea, 
And shines as softly bright; 

But sheds its glamour not for me, 
Since she's not here to-night. 

So, cheerless still, I turn my gaze 
Far from earth's scenes apart. 

And find her, through the passing days, 
Enshrined within my heart. 



8i 



TOGETHER, YET ALONE 

We've walked together all the way, 

Our hearts and lives seem one ; 
WeVe told each other all our dreams, — 

Together fought and won : 
Yet each has had an inner life 

The other ne'er has known ; 
And so we go along life's way, 

Together, — yet alone. 

Though side by side, and heart to heart, 

Though thy hand claspeth mine, 
Still each of us alone must live ; — 

I, my own life, — thou, thine. 
Impassable the gulf between, — 

A way to cross, unknown : 
So all adown the years we walk 

Together, — yet alone. 



82 



LONELY AWHILES 

I'm lonely awhiles for the sound of thy voice, 

Its music Fm longing to hear; 
Fm lonely awhiles for a glimpse of thy face, 

Aglow with its message of cheer. 

Fm lonely awhiles for a look in thine eyes. 

So tender, and loving, and true ; 
I'm lonely awhiles for a touch of thy hand, 

With ecstasy thrilling me through. 

Fm lonely awhiles, — e'en though memories live ; 

Though, closing my eyes, I can see 
Thy sweet, rosy face, and thy soft, lovelit eyes 

With tenderness looking at me. 

I'm lonely awhiles, — though thy spirit, I feel, 

Is near me wherever I roam; 
For memories, dear, are but shadowy dreams, — 

Thy hand I must clasp in my own. 

83 



Though musing, perchance, I may dream of thy 
face, 

In fancy, thy smile I may see, — 
Yet always when thou art not close by my side 

I'm lonely, and longing for thee. 



84 



THE DESERTED THRONE 

Though your life is bound to mine, dear, 

^With this golden band, 
Though you say, when oft I'm lonely, 

''She will understand" ; 
Yet Fm through the darkness groping, — 

Reaching for your hand. 

When your smiles are all for others, 

And your frowns for me, 
Though you say, ''She knows I love her," 

Yet I long to see 
Just the look I used to find, dear. 

When we both were free. 

When you speak to every other 

In your kindest tone. 
Keeping words of bitter hardness 

For my heart alone ; 
Then I long to sleep and dream, dear, 

Of the days now flown. 

85 



Do I understand your changing? 

Know why things are new ? 
In my heart of hearts I question, — 

Fearing what is true ; 
Till through poignant tears I answer, 

''Yes, at last I do.'' 

Love once sat and smiled between us, 

Roses on his head ; 
Now his golden throne is empty, 

And the roses dead ; 
Yet I strive to think he's here, dear, — 

Knowing he has fled. 

And though bound by life-long promise 

With this golden band; 
Yet your faith in vain I'm seeking 

Still, — at Love's command; 
And, with breaking heart, I murmur, — 

''Lo, I understand." 



86 



THE ISLE OF DREAMS 

You have never guessed 

That I love you so, 
And my earthly path 

Is not yours, I know ; 
Yet my Hfe's not sad. 

Though it lonely seems, 
For I meet you, dear, 

In my Isle of Dreams. 

Then I clasp your hand, 

And you sweetly smile; 
But my dream lasts, oh. 

Such a little while ! 
And I wake to find 

You have left me then, 
And Fm all alone 

Till I dream again. 

87 



In the world, dear heart, 

You are not for me ; — - 
In the Isle of Dreams 

Such a thing may be ; 
And I meet you there 

Where the skies are blue, 
So my happy isle 

Must be your isle too. 

Though you're far away. 

And the fates divide. 
When I close my eyes 

We are side by side. 
And I always find, 

When each day is past, 
In our Isle of Dreams 

You are mine at last. 



88 



SANCTUARY 

In a far corner of my heart, — 

Where none may see, — 
A little room is set apart, 

That's just for thee; 
And often in the stress of life 

I ope the door, 
And, with a throbbing heart, I cross 

The threshold o'er. 

And there I find thee, hidden close 

From every eye. 
And heart to heart commune with thee 

While moments fly : 
I turn thy face to Memory's light, 

And there alone 
I fancy that thy dear eyes look 

Into mine own. 

89 



Then mournfully I turn to close 

The door at last, 
And, leaving cherished memories there, 

I make it fast ; 
And out into my lonely life 

I go once more, — 
But stays my heart with thine, behind 

The bolted door. 

This secret chamber none may guess, — 

Not even thou ; 
A sacred shrine to me alone, 

Where oft I bow : 
'Tis all of love that's mine to have, — 

And this my prayer; — 
Thou wilt not chide me shouldst thou know 

Thy face is there. 



90 



WAITING 

I LISTEN for his footfall 

When twilight shadows creep, 

And wait him through the silence 
Which wraps the world in sleep : 

They say he's gone forever ; 

But my heart whispers, ^^Nay/ - 

And so I know he'll find me, 
Some glad, sweet day. 

They weep, and tell me gently 
That he can come no more ; 
But my own eyes are tearless,— 

I did not weep before ;— 
He loved to hear my laughter, 

Then should my eyes be dim? 
And so I smile for his sake,— 
Awaiting him. 

91 



They think it strange to see me 

With joyous, happy eyes ; 
But can my heart be grieving 

For love that never dies? 
And I who loved him truly, 

And I who knew him best. 
Am sure that he will find me, — 
So I'm at rest. 

He is not far, — I feel it, — 

But ever seemeth near; 
And though his form is vanished, 

I know his heart is here: 
No love is lost forever, 

But keeps its whispered vow ; 
So all of love he gave me 
Is mine just now. 

Thus in the dawn and gloaming, 
Or evening's dusky shade, 

I w^atch, and wait, and listen,^ — 
Ne'er doubting or afraid; 

But ever trusting, knowing 
That some day I shall see 

His form come through the shadows, 
In search of me. 



92 



For love will find a pathway 
To come unto its own ; 

No fettering chains can bind it ; 
No heart lives on alone : 

And so the love that seeketh 
In early morn, or late, 

Will teach the love that listens,- 
The way to wait. 



93 



A WISH 

That all life's richest treasure 

Thine may be, 
Its sun in fullest measure 
Shine for thee, 
Each songster trill its rarest note, 
Each blossom wear its fairest coat 
And breathe its sweetest perfume, — 
Just for thee. 

May naught of shade or sadness 

E'er be thine, 
But in thine heart may gladness 
Brightly shine. 
Thy feet e'er tread a flowery way ; 
And daily this the prayer I pray, — 
That all life's tender serving 
May be mine. 



94 



UNLESS 

Gray skies and a mist of rain, 

And a garden drenched and bare; 

Then one bright bloom, 

In the sodden gloom, — 
Yet I would not linger there, — 
I would wait in the dreary way; 

For the gift we have sought with prayer 

Hath no charm for me 

Till I stand with thee. 
And together we find it there. 

Long years that are dark with pain, 
And a life distraught with care ; 

Then radiant light 

Through the starless night, — 
Yet I would not enter there ; — 
I would wait in the gloom for thee. 
Heaven's paths I would leave untrod. 

Until hand in hand 

We should understand. 
And together mount toward God. 



95 



AN OFFERING 

I BRING thee this chaplet of verses, 

A tribute of love from my heart; 
Though humble and faded the blossoms, 

They still of my soul are a part. 

There are pansies, — and they are for thoughts, 
dear ; 

And simple field flow'rets a few; 
And rosemary, — that's for remembrance; 

But never a leaflet of rue. 

May each velvet heartsease bring visions 

Of life's fadeless flowers to thee, 
And each snowy, golden-eyed daisy 

Recall thy youth, joyous and free. 

And may the rosemary bring dreams, dear, 
Of love's sweetest, tenderest hours; 

So, kissing each tiny thought-petal, 
I weave thee this chaplet of flowers. 

96 



And here at thy feet now I lay it, — 
An offering, dearest, to thee; — 

And sometimes, I pray, when thou readest, 
Thy thoughts may come winging to me. 



97 



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